Hibiscus plant named &#39;Jodi&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Hibiscus, Hibiscus syriacus  ‘Jodi,’ characterized by three color irregular variegation (Dark green, light green, and golden yellow); a large, pure white flower; a longer blooming duration; two additional seasons of ornamental qualities because of variegated leaves; and triploid (sterile) genetic character.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP

No federal research and development funds were used in the development of this plant.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE PLANT CLAIMED BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Hibiscus syriacus

VARIETAL DENONMINATION

‘Jodi’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hibiscus syriacus ‘Jodi’ is a new cultivar of the common Rose-of-Sharon. The plant will be useful as an improved ornamental Hibiscus. The plant has irregular variegation of yellow and green which provides enhanced spring and summer ornamental characteristics. The plant also has sterile, single, white flowers which in late summer provide a longer duration of flowering than other Hibiscus. Hibiscus syriacus ‘Jodi’ is hardy from Zone 5 to Zone 8. The plant can be used as a specimen, in borders, as a hedge, or as a small tree.

Hibiscus syriacus ‘Jodi’ is a spontaneous, genetic mutation from Hibiscus syriacus ‘Diana’. The discovery was made at Smiths Gardens; a wholesale nursery located in Worthington, Ohio. The mutation has been propagated asexually by softwood cuttings and observed in numerous controlled environments to test for stability, hardiness, vigor, and disease and insect resistance. Clones or propagules of the claimed plant are identical to the original plant in all distinguishing characters, demonstrating that the claimed plant is stable.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Novel Characteristics—as compared to ‘Diana’

1. Three color irregular variegation (Dark green, light green, and golden yellow)

Novel Characteristics—as compared to all other Hibiscus

1. Triploid (sterile)

2. Large, pure white, single flower

3. Longer blooming duration

4. Two additional seasons of ornamental qualities because of variegated leaves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

Without limiting the scope of the present invention as claimed below and referring now to the drawings and figures:

FIG. 1 is a close up view of the leaves of ‘Jodi.’ The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with the photographic and printing technology utilized. The color values cited in the detailed botanical description accurately describe the color of the new Hibiscus.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new cultivar grown outdoors derived from evaluation rooted softwood cuttings grown in one gallon containers, two and three year-old specimens grown in 3 gallon containers, and multiple field grown specimens grown under different climactic conditions. All specimens were grown in Powell, Ohio, United States of America, under natural light conditions. The specimens have performed well in Zone 5b (−10 to −15 degrees F.) of the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map Misc. Pub. 1475 Henry Cathey January 1990. The new Hibiscus has been observed to do well in daytime temperatures up to 100 degrees F. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, as it has not been tested under all possible environmental conditions. The color determination is in accordance with the 2001 R.H.S. Color Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: ‘Jodi’ is a cultivar of Hibiscus syriacus. -   Parentage: Hibiscus syriacus ‘Jodi’ is a cultivated genetic sport of     Hibiscus syriacus ‘Diana’. -   Growth habit of the plant described as to the shape of the plant at     maturity, and branching habit: ‘Jodi’ is a shrub or small tree with     upright branching habit. At maturity, the plant has an upright oval     shape. -   Characteristics of the plant in winter dormancy: The winter habit is     one of medium texture. The outline is a semi-broad upright oval     shape. -   Complete botanical description of bark, buds, blossoms, leaves, and     fruit:     -   -   Bark.—older bark is grey with semi-smooth texture. Younger             stems have maroon color and are very smooth.         -   Buds.—are not significant and are located by the leaf scars             of the previous year.         -   Blossoms.—Flowers are generated on current year's growth.             They are five petaled, perfect, solitary, single, pure             white, 3″ to 5″ across and occur in August through             September. The flowers on this cultivar start a week later             than other varieties but lasts much longer into the season.             The flowers also remain open at night. The flowers of the             parent plant are thought to be sterile and observation of             Hibiscus syriacus ‘Jodi’ has generated no apparent             self-seeding.         -   Leaves.—The leaves are alternately located on the stem. The             leaves have three lobes with palmate veination. The leaf             shape is ovate with a cuneate base with acute apices. The             margins are fixed with rounded serrations. The leaves are 2             to 4 inches in length and 1¾ to 2½ inches in width at the             widest point. The upper surface of the leaf has a waxy             texture. The lower leaf surface is dull with minor             pubescence along the veination. The petiole is 1/4″ to 1″ in             length. The colors are best described using Royal             Horticultural Society Color Charts. The leaves have three             colors. The darkest green is the same shade as RHS Fan3             137A. The light green is best described as RHS Fan3 138B.             The yellow is best described as RHS Fan3 153C. The color             pattern is irregular leaf by leaf. The variegation follows             the veination in irregular unpredictable patterns.         -   Fruit.—the fruit is dehiscent five-valved capsule. The fruit             starts out a light green about ¾″ long. After the capsule             opens, it turns brown and persists through winter. -   Plant characteristics: This Hibiscus has a medium growth rate. The     ultimate height is 8′-12′ in height and 6′-10′ wide. The plant is     hardy from zone 5 to zone 8. This particular cultivar has shown     little if any self-seeding, which is a nuisance with many of the     other cultivars. The flowers show no fragrance. This cultivar has     shown no significant susceptibility to diseases or insects. The     plant roots easily from softwood cuttings taken in June to July when     treated with 1000 ppm IBA. I claim: 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Jodi’ as herein illustrated and described. 